White House: North Korea actions 'provocative'

Mar. 31, 2014
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A South Korean marine LVT-7 landing craft heads to shore through a smoke screen during the U.S.-South Korea joint landing exercises called Ssangyong in Pohang, South Korea, on March 31, 2014. / Ahn Young-joon, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

The White House is condemning North Korea's plans for military drills in disputed boundary areas, saying it will needlessly increase tensions with South Korea and Japan.

"North Korea's actions are dangerous and provocative," said National Security Council spokesman Jonathan P. Lalley in a statement Monday. "Its continuous threats and provocations aggravate tensions and further its isolation."

Lalley said the United States remains "steadfast" in its commitment to the defense of allies, and is coordinating with counterparts in South Korea and Japan.

"The comments come after Pyongyang's sudden announcement that it would conduct live-fire drills in seven areas north of the Koreas' disputed maritime boundary. Following that announcement, North and South Korea fired hundreds of artillery shells into each other's waters."